Acting Inspector of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed immediate reversal to traditional 8-hours, three-shift standard, bringing an end to the current 12-hour, two-shifts work structure in the Nigeria Police Force.
This is as he attributed the increasing cases of misuse of firearms and other extra-judicial actions by police to the work-related stress and emotional conditions which he noted,disorient their rationality.
He gave the directive, Wednesday, while speaking at the maiden conference of Heads of Nigeria Police Medical Facilities, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“Indeed, arguments have been raised that the resonating incidents of misuse of firearms and extra-judicial actions by police personnel often result directly from work-related stresses and emotional conditions which disorient their rationality.
“In consideration of this, I have ordered that with immediate effect, the shift duty structure of the Nigeria Police which is currently a 12-hour, two-shift system be reverted to the traditional 8-hours, three-shift standard.
“This directive is specifically informed by the need to address a major, age-long occupational stressor which long hours of duty engenders among personnel in the Nigeria Police Force and which occasions depression and abuse of power and other unprofessional conducts.
“For purpose of clarity, henceforth,no police personnel should be made to to perform any duty exceeding 8-hours within a space of 24 hours unless there is a local or national emergency,” he said.
While tasking the Nigeria Police Medical Services to complement the leadership of the Force by striving at all times to guarantee a healthy work-life balance and ensuring that officers attain the highest possible level of health status, he said this would prevent occupational health stress factors which manifest into fatigue, compromised immune system, heart diseases and high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, irritability,risk of substance abuse and emotional instability.
“All of these,if not medically managed, could engender unprofessional reactions with fatal consequences to the affected police personel and members of the public,” he said.
According to him, “Additionally, the Nigeria Police Medical Services must start emplacing strategies and techniques including cognitive therapy and emotional intelligence models that will strengthen the stress management capacity and operational resilience of personnel.
“I take pride in the fact that the Nigeria Police Medical Services has some of the finest and most experienced medical officers”, noting with delight that “it has expanded significantly over the years from just one healthcare facility in 1975 to 144 in 2019 across the country.”
Earlier, Force Medical Officer, AIG Obembe Olufunmilayo Modupe, in her address appreciated the contributions of her predecessors towards the growth of the Nigeria Police Medical Services since its inception in 1975, noting that teamwork and continuity were priceless jewels to any institution that desires growth and transformation.
“To this end, the baton has been handed over to us. We must reposition the NPMS by strengthening the existing processes, systems and structures for more accessible, affordable, effective and efficient healthcare service delivery,” she said.
According to her, “To address the current negative public perception of the police,it is essential to emphasize the need for medical,mental and psychological evaluation of candidates during recruitment, for proper selection of fit and qualified entrants into the Force.
“Mandatory periodic and regular assessment of the health, resilience and coping mechanisms of our officers is also needed during training and while in service, performing their statutory duties of protecting lives and property.
“Consequently,this would reduce the prevalence of sudden deaths and missus of firearms, contrary to provisions of Section 237 of Police Acts and Regulations, positively impacting on the good image, effectiveness and efficiency of the Force.”
